Internal-combustion engine



' Jan. 15, 1946. w. L. wUEHR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. 25.1944 INVENTOR; M7/fam L. Wye/5r;

y kbm ATTORNEY vPatenten] Jan. l5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICElmTEnNAL-conmos'non ENGINE william L. wueln, Port Arthur, "rex.

` nppucauon August z5, 1944, serial No. 551,0so

iz claims. (ci. 12s-s1) to provide an engine of the type aforesaid inwhich better controlof the combustion is obtained with the air pressurecapable of variation with changes of load.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an engine ofthe type aforesaid in which higher mean eifective pressures areobtainable than have heretofore been commonly employed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compressionignition engine in which the various steps of the operating cycle areinterrelated in such manner as to provide eiiicient high speed operationwith low fuel consumption.

Other objects of the invention Will be apparent from the annexedspecification and claims.

The nature 'and characteristic features of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

AFigure 1 is a horizontal central section view through a portion of anengine in accordance with the present invention; and showing the pistonsat the outer ends of their strokes;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 1and showing the pistons at the inner ends of their strokes;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken approximately ontheline 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken approximately vonthe line Q of Fig. 1: and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal central sectional view showing a modified form ofengine in accordance with the present invention.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingherein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications andchanges may be made in the structure disclosed without departing fromthe spirit ci' the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing a cylinder and pistonconstruction; is illustrated which is particularly adapted for use withthe compression ignition engine shown in my application for LettersPatent filed August 25, 1944 Serial No. 551,079. The engine hereindescribed and illustrated is, however, of wider application.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a cylinder l5 is provided. The cylinderI5 has mounted therein, for movement towards each other for compressionand away from each other for expansion, two opposed pistons I9 and 20which may be referred to as inner and outer pistons, respectively, andwhich are connected, for timed simultaneous movement, in any preferredmanner, such for example as shown in my other application for LettersPatent hereinbefore referred to.

Each piston i9 and 20, at the head end thereof is provided with acentral dished portion 2l which may be a segment of a sphere or otherdesired shape. A hollow senil-cylindrical port or passageway 22 isprovided in the head portion of each of the pistons i9 and 20 andextends radially from the dished portions 2l to the exterior of thepistons I9 and 20 and -to the interior wall of the cylinder l5. v

At the center of the cylinder l5 an air chamber is provided whichsurrounds or encircles the cylinder l5 and is in communication with theinterior of the cylinder I5 through inlet ports 36. The chamber 3E isprovided with a valve 38 which functions as a combustion air inlet andscavenging air inlet valve, any suitable mechanism being provided forcontrolling the opening of the valve inthe proper timed relationship. Anair supply chamber 39 is provided in communication with the inlet sideof the valve 38 and an air supply duct 40 is provided in communicationwith the chamber 39 for supplying air under pressure, preferably atabout one and one-half atmospheres, absolute, fromany suitable source(not shown) The inlet valve 38 is preferably moved to closed positionby-means of a spring di and is moved' to open position in predeterminedtimed relationavailable time interval, a suitable fuel valve and Iprovided at the ends of the strokes of the pistons I8 and 29 and spacedlongitudinally from the fuel valve 59 and from the ports 361 withexhaust ports 65 in communication with exhaust chambers 86 whichsurround or encircle the cylinder I5.

The cylinders I are preferably provided with cooling jackets 61 spacedfrom the outer wall of the cylinder I5 and with longitudinal openings 68in the cylinders I5 for transfer of cooling fluid from one end oi.' thecylinder to the other. Fluid may be introduced through a pipe 59 anddischarged through another pipe (not shown).

The mode of operation of the engine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, will now be pointedout. Air from any suitable source of airunder pressure, such for example as blowers (not shown), is deliveredthrough the duct 49 to the air supply passage 39 at the inlet side ofthe air control valve 38.

commencing with the pistons I9 and 29 at the .f

outer ends of their strokes and with the air inlet valve 38 open, as thepistons I9 and 29 move inwardly the exhaust ports -65 at each end of thecylinders I5 are covered and shut off by the pistons I9 and 29. 'The airvalve 38 has theretofore been opened so that air is introduced into thecylinder I5 through the inlet ports 38. The inlet ports 36 arepreferably arranged in such manner as to give the incoming air a rotarymotion within the interior of the cylinder I5. As the pistons I9 and 29continue their inward movement, the valve 38 is closed. The air trappedin the cylinder I5 between the pistons I 9 and 29 and in the chamber 35is compressed by the further inward movement of the pistons I9 and 29.As the pistons I9 and 29 approach each other air is further compressedby the pistons I9 and 29. A portion of the air is in the chamber 35 andva portion is between the heads of the pistons I9 and 29 and in thedished portions 2| thereof.

As the pistons I9 and 29 reach the center of the cylinder they cut offthe inlet ports 36, trapping a portion of the air under pressure in thechamber 35 and trapping another portion of the air in the space 2Ia. Theclearance between the pistons I9 and 29 will be small.

The fuel charge in its entirety is introduced by and through the fuelvalve 69 into the air trapped in the space 2Ia, and preferably after theports 36 have been cut off. The fuel valve 69 is timed in its operationin any desired manner. The burning of the fuel inthe air in the interiorspace 2Ia provides a force'tending to separate the pistons I9 and 29. Asthe pistons I9 and,29 separate the air from the chamber 35 entersthrough the ports 36 with a rotary and turbulent motion and aids in thecombustion.

The expansion of the gases upon combustion provides the Yforce fordriving the pistons I9 and 29 in theusual manner. As the pistons I9 and29 separate and approach the outer ends of their strokes, the exhaustports 65 are uncovered permitting the discharge of the exhaustcombustion products. As the exhaust ports 55 are opened by the movementof the pistons I9 and 29 the air 'inlet valve 38 .is also opened toprovide scavenging of the cylinder I5. The air for scavenging entersthrough the valve 38, the chamber 35 and the ports 36 and drives theburned gases through the exhaust ports 65 while the pistons I9 and 29are at the outer end portions of their strokes.

The pistons I9 and 29 then move inwardly as before and the operation isrepeated, the engine functioning on a two stroke cycle.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, the cylinder I5 isprovided with a pair of opposed pistons, as in the other form of theinvention. consisting of an inner piston I9 and an outer piston 29movable toward and away from each lother for compression and expansion.The pistons I9 and 20 at the head thereof are preferably of the typeheretofore pointed out, with central dished portions 2l and withsemi-cylindrical passageways 22, and a. central space 2Ia when thepistons I9 and 29 are together at the center of the cylinder I 5.

The cylinder I5 is provided at the central portion thereof with achamber 35 which surrounds or encircles the cylinder I5 and is incommunication with the interior of the cylinder I5 through inlet ports36a spaced on either side of the center of the cylinder I5 or the innerend position of the pistons I9 and 20. The chambers 39 are provided withvalves 39 which function as combustion air and scavenging air inletvalves preferably operated in the manner heretofore pointed out.

A fuel supply valve 60 preferably of the type' heretofore referred to isalso provided.

The cylinder I5 is provided with exhaust ports 65 located at the outerends of the paths of the pistons the ports 65 being in communicationwith exhaust chambers B6 which surround or encircle the cylinder I5. y

The mode of operation of the engine illustrated in Fig. 5 is similar tothat of the engine illustrated in Figs. l to 4, inclusive. Air from anysuitable source of air under pressure such, for example, as blowers (notshown) is delivered to the air supply passage 39 at the inlet side ofthe air control valve 38.

Commencing with the pistons I9 and 29 at the outer ends of theirstrokes, and with the air inlet valve 38 open, as the pistons I9 and 29move inwardly the exhaust ports 35 at each end of the cylinder I5 areshut on by the pistons I9 and 29. The air valve 38 has theretofore beenopened so that air is introduced into the cylinder I5 through the inletports 36a with a rotary motion. The supply of air is shut off and as thepistons I9 and 29 continue their inward move-I ment the air trapped inthe cylinder I5 between the. pistons I9 and 29 and in the air' chamber35 is compressed by the further inward movement of the pistons. As thepistons I9 and 29 approach each other air is retained in the interiorspace 2Ia vand a portion of the air is forced through the ports 36a intoand is retained in the chamber 35. The pistons I9 and 29, as they nearthe center of the cylinder I5, cut o the inlet ports 36a, trapping` aportion of the air under pressure in the chamber 35 and trapping anotherportion of the air in the spaceZIa. A larger clearance may be providedbetween the pistons I9 and 29 than in the other form of the invention.

The fuel charge in its entirety is then introduced by the fuel valve 69into the air trapped in the interior space 2Ia. The burning of the fuelin the air in the interior space 2Ia provides 70 a force tending toseparate the pistons I9 and 29. As the pistons I9 and 20 separate theair from the chamber 35 enters through the ports 36a with a rotary andturbulent motion and aids inthe combustion. 75 The expan ion of thegases upon combustion provides the force for driving the pistons i8 and20 in the usual manner. As the pistons iland asesora means in thepistons in communication with said 2l separate and approach the o uterends of their strokes the exhaust ports 65 are uncovered, per-l mittingthe discharge of the exhaust combustion products. As the exhaust portsIi are opened by the movement of the pistons i! and 20 the air inletvalve I8 is also opened to provide* scavenging of the cylinders I asheretofore pointed out. The pistons i9 and 20 then move inwardly asbefore, and the operation is repeated.

The engine thus functions'on a two stroke cycle.

I claim:

fuel injection meansand said space for vthe de livery of fuel into saidspace. 1

5.- In a compression ignition engine, a cylinder having air inlet portsand exhaust ports spaced longitudinally from said air inlet ports, acharm.

ber in communication with said air inlet ports,

valve means for controlling the supplying of air to said chamber forscavenging and for com pression, opposed, pistons reciprocable in saidcylinder, said .pistons having hollow portions at 1. In a compressionignition engine,l a cylinder,

a pair of pistons in said cylinder adapted tomove toward and away fromeach other, said pistons having head portions providing -a compressionand combustion space withinsaidpis-' tons when the same are contiguous,an'air cham-'- ber having inlet ports in communication with the interioro1' said cylinder when said pistons are separated and cut od fromcommunication with the' interior of seid cylinder when the pistons aretogether, said air chamber providing a re#- v v2li ceiver for aircompressed by the movement o f said pistons, said pistons having apassageway the head ends thereof providing a space therein, said pistonsin their movement toward each other being adapted to cut ofi saidl'inlet .ports and trap a portion of'the' air compressed'by said pistonsin "said chamber and another portion 'A in said'space,` and means forsupplying fuel into '1 said air inlet ports, a chamber in communicationwith said air inlet ports, valve means for controlin communication withsaid space, and fuel valve means in communication with-said passageway.

2. In a compression ignition engine, a cylindenj a pair of pistons insaid cylinder adapted to move toward and away from eachother, saidpistons' having dished head portions 'providing'a `comT ling thesupplying of air to said chamber for 4.scavenging andfor compression,opposed pistons 'reciprooable in said cylinder to positionsv to cut offsaid air inlet ports, said 4pistons having `hol" i low portions thereinproviding'an aircompression space, and means fory delivering fuel intosaid'; .ao 'j f i '7.In Aacompression ignition engine, a cylinderspace.k

having fuel injection means and air inlet Aports pression and combustionspace within said pistons, an air chamber having inlet ports. in`

communication with the interior of said cylinder when said pistons areseparated and cut ofifrom communication with the interior of saidcylinder when the pistons are together, meansjfor' sup#- a passageway incommunication with said space,

arida fuel inlet valve in communication with.v

said passageway.

3. En a compression ignition engine, a cylinder having fuel injectionmeans and circumferentially disposed air inlet ports, said cylinder alsohaving circumferentially disposed exhaust ports'spaced longitudinallyfrom said air inlet ports, a'chainloerv in communication with said airinlet ports, valve means for controlling the supplying of air to saidchamber for scavenging and for compression, opposed piswns reciprocablein said cylinder, said pistons having spaces therein, said pistons in atthe central portion thereof and vexl'iaust ports spaced longitudinallyfrom said air inlet portstowardsjeach end thereof,A ai chamber in'communication withvsaid'air inlet ports, valve means for controllingthe supplying of airlto `said chamber for. scavenging and forcompression, opposed plying air to said air chamber, said pistons havingpistons reciprocable in said cylindertoward and away'from each other,said pistons being adapted to open said exhaust -ports at one portion ofthe .movement thereof and to cut od said exhaust I- ports Vat anotherportion of theinovement theretheir movement toward each other beingadapted y of, said pistons also being adapted to cutoi'l said air inletports when the same vare together at the central portion of thecylinder, said pistons having a space therein for trapping a portion ofthe air compressed by the movement of said pistons, said pistons alsohaving avpassageway therein' lor the delivery of fuel from said fuelinjection means tosaid space.

8. In a compression ignition engine, a cylinder having fuel injectionmeans and air inlet ports at the central portion thereof and exhaustports spaced longitudinally from said air inlet ports towardseach endthereof, a chamber in cornfor controlling the supplying oi air to saidchamtially disposed air inlet ports at the central partthereof, saidcylinder also having circumferen-v ber for` scavengingand forcompression, opposed pistons reciprocable, in said cylinder toward andmovement thereof and to cul-l odlsaid exhaust tially disposed exhaustports spaced longitudinally from said air inlet ports, a chamber income` munication with said air inlet ports. valve means for controllingthe supplying of air to said chamber for scavenging and for compression,opposed ports at another portion of the movement thereair in saidvchamber'andi to cut oil' said air inlet A ports when the `same aretogether'at the center pistons reciprocate in seid cylinder, saidpistons having hollow portions at the head ends thereof providing aspace therein, said pistons in their movement toward each other beingadapted to cut oil said inlet ports and trap a portion of the aircompressed by said pistons in said charnber and another portion in saidspace, and port tially disposed air inlet ports at the ycentral por-ytion thereof and circumferentially disposed exhaust ports spacedlongitudinally from said air inlet ports towards each end thereof, achamber in communication with said air inlet ports, valve means forcontrolling the supplying of air to said chamber for lscavenging and forcompression, opposed pistons reciprocable in said cylinder toward andaway from each other, said pistons being adapted to open said exhaustports at the outerV ends of their strokes and to cut/off said exhaustports at other portions of the movement thereof, said pistons also beingadapted to compress air in said chamberand to cut oif said air inletports when the same are together at the center of the cylinder and trapair in said chamber, said pistons having a space therein for trapping aportion of the air compressed by the movement of said pistons, saidpistons also having a passageway therein for the delivery of fuel fromsaid fuel injection means to said space.

10. In a compression ignition engine, a working cylinder having airinlet ports at one location therein and exhaust ports spacedlongitudinally from said air inlet ports, a chamber in communicationwith said air inlet ports, valve means for controlling the supplying ofVair to said chamber for scavenging and for compression, means forcompressing air supplied through said valve means in said cylinder andin said chamber, said means including a, working piston having a portionadapted to cut oi said air inlet ports at one ypart of its movement fortrapping airr under compression inv said chamber and adapted to releasethe trapped air into the cylinder; upon its return movement, theinterior of the cylinder v having a space in continuous communication-therewith for receiving a part of the air compressed by the movement ofthe piston, and fuel injection means in communication with saidV space.

11. In a compression ignition engines. working cylinder having a sidewall with air inlet ports Y at one location therein and exhaust portsspaced longitudinally from said air inlet ports, a chamber outside saidside wall in communication with said air inlet ports, valve means forcontrolling the supplying of air to said chamber for scavenging and forcompression, and means for compressing air in said cylinder and in saidchamber, saidmeans including a working piston having a p0rtion adaptedto cut oi said air inlet ports at one part of its movement for trappingin said chamber a part of the air compressed lby the movement of thepiston, saidpiston also having a space therein for the reception of theremainder of the air compressed by the movement of the piston, and fuelinjection means in communication with said space. A

12. In a compression ignition engine, a working cylinder having a sidewall with air inlet ports at one location therein and exhaust portsspaced longitudinally from said air inlet ports, a chamber outside saidside wall in communication with said air inlet ports, valve means forcontrolling the supplying of air to said chamber for scavenging and forcompression, means for compressing air supplied through said valve meansin said cylinder and in said chamber, said means including a Workingpiston having a portion adapted io WILLIAM L. WUEHR.

tov cut off said air inlet ports at one part of its

